Charlotte, NC (October 5, 2011) — The Charlotte Copperheads today announced veteran player and former Boston Blazers coach Tom Ryan as the team’s inaugural head coach and general manager. “Tom’s passion for the game of lacrosse and proven track record as a player, a coach and a general manager makes him the perfect choice to lead the Copperheads in this inaugural year and and in the years to come”, said Copperheads owner/president Graham D’Alvia.

Ryan, a nine-year National Lacrosse League (http://nationallacrosseleague.com) veteran player, amassed 202 points in 95 career games while playing for the Boston Blazers, the Baltimore Thunder and the Philadelphia Wings, where he was an Assistant Captain and a member of the 2001 World Championship Team. Tom played for the New Jersey Pride in the inaugural season of Major League Lacrosse (MLL). As a member of Team USA, Ryan helped defeat Canada in the Heritage Cup in 2002. As a collegiate player, Tom was an All American Attackman at Bowdoin College where he is still the all-time leading scorer with 315 points. He is a member of the Canton, NY High School and Bowdoin College Hall of Fames. During his playing career, Ryan was recognized as a leader and ferocious competitor on the field, as well as off the field for his signature dreadlocks and passion for the game.

While playing in the NLL, Ryan served as an assistant for the Division 1 women’s teams at Towson University and Loyola College. He was also an assistant coach for the men’s team at Connecticut College, where he earned his master’s degree in Psychology. Upon his retirement from playing in the NLL, Ryan was named head coach of the U.S. National Team at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships in 2007 & 2011. In 2007, the NLL announced that an expansion franchise had been granted to the city of Boston, and Ryan was named head coach. During his tenure with the Blazers, Ryan registered an 18-14 record and two straight berths in the NLL playoffs.

“I am excited to be a part of the birth of the NALL and to help bring the excitement of the indoor game to the Charlotte community and the Carolina’s as a whole,” stated Ryan, “with Graham D’Alvia and the entire Copperheads’ commitment to advancing the game, I am proud to be a part of a new generation of lacrosse in the community and the region.” As a part of their commitment to build the sport, the Charlotte Copperheads, along with US Indoor Lacrosse (USIL) will host a one-day regional player combine on Saturday, October 22nd, at The SPORTS CONNECTION in Charlotte, NC. The event will feature agility testing, indoor lacrosse drills and scrimmage play in front of pro GM’s, coaches and scouts. Five regional combines are being held in the United States in anticipation of the USIL National Combine and NALL Entry Draft on December 10-11 in Richmond, Virginia. The Charlotte Copperheads will compete in a 12-game schedule, playing home games at The Bojangles’ Coliseum starting in January 2012.

Come out and meet Tom Ryan and the rest of the Copperheads staff at our Launch Party on October 20th at 7:00 PM. The event will be held at Kennedy’s Premium Bar & Grill, a key sponsor of the Copperheads, located at 366 N. Caswell, Charlotte, NC 28204.